infusory, a. and n.
(ɪnˈfjuːsərɪ)
[ad. L. type *infūsōrius, f. infūs-, ppl. stem of infundĕre to pour in: see -ory.]
A. adj. † 1. Of or pertaining to (surgical) infusion or injection. Obs.
| 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. xi. 374 An Epistle..concerning Transfusion of bloud, and infusory Chirurgery. |
2. = infusorial.
| 1826 Good Bk. Nat. II. 20 The fifth or infusory order of worms, comprehends those minute and simple animalcules which are seldom capable of being traced, except by a microscope. 1855 H. Spencer Princ. Psychol. (1872) I. iii. ii. 298 The infusory animalcule. |
B. n. A member of the Infusoria.
| 1835 Kirby Hab. & Inst. Anim. I. ii. 135 Those that are termed Infusories; because they are usually found in infusions of various substances. 1857 Gosse Creation 227 It was a swimming Infusory with a broad ciliated disk. 1863 Possibil. Creation 219 Nature appears to have taken as much pains with the humblest infusory as with the stateliest camelopard. |